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The Homestead Act was passed.
The Homestead Act was enacted during the Civil War. The act allowed any adult citizen to claim 160 acres of surveyed government land. The claimers of the land had to pay the government $1.25 per acre. This act encouraged citizens to move out towards the west. -
The Fourteenth Amendment goes to state legislators for ratification
The Fourteenth Amendment gave equal protection under both state law and federal law. It eliminated the 3/5th compromised of the 1787 Constitution. There was open and apparent rejection of the amendment by President Johnson, which ultimately ruined his reputation. The photograph included is the House Joint Resolution Proposing the 14th Amendment to the Constitution which is recorded in the National Archives. -
The first of the Molly Maguires Trials begins
Another eastern Pennsylvania organization called the Molly Maguires began to reek havoc in an effort to bring attention to the miners poor wages and poor working conditions. A group of Irish coal miners began committing murders, kidnappings, and assaults against mine owners. In January 1976, the trial for the murder of Attorney James Jones began in Jim Thorpe. The defendant, Michael J. Doyle, was convicted. His trial was the beginning of many trials against the Maguires. -
The "Declaration of the Rights of Women in the United States," is delivered.
During the Centennial celebration in Philadelphia, the declaration was delivered among woman suffragists. Susan B. Anthony began reading outside of Independence Hall even though the presider, Vice President Thomas W. Ferry. -
The Homestead Steel Strike Lockout
Andrew Carnegie purchased the struggling steel plant in 1883 in hopes of revamping the plant in order to make it the largest steelmaking plant he owns. The workers of the mill began to unite and complain about the harsh working conditions and wage cuts. The right had man of Carnegie locked out workers of the plant on June 29, 1892. This made way for an ugly and deadly battle which took place a few days later. This event made it known that the government backed businesses not union workers. -
Treaty of Paris signed
Peace negotiations had been ongoing regarding Cuba's independence. In the midst of the communications, President McKinley emphasized that the Unitest States needed to maintain control over the Phillipines. Though Spain was reluctant, the Treaty of Paris was signed which also included America taking the Phillippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam as territories. This was a big event for the American press and yellow journalism. -
Booker T. Washington becomes the first African American invited to the White House
Booker T. Washington became popular by white Americans after his Atlanta Compromise speech in 1895. Washington's position was that African Americans needed to work hard and uplift themseves and the political and civil rights would come to them. Washington's approach was well received by white Americans. His advocacy and well liked persona led him to being invited to the White House by Theodore Roosevelt. -
World War I begins
World War I or the Great War began. -
The United States declares war on Germany
The United States needed to prepare our armed forces to fight against the 4.5million men that created the German forces. In 1917, Congress passed the Selective Service Act which required all men aged twenty-one to thirty to enlist. -
Charles Lindberg flies across the Atlantic
Charles Lindbergh flew from New York to Paris in 1926 -
The Great Depression begins
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Scottsboro Boys conviction
On March 25, 1931, nine African American teenage boys were accused of raping two white women. The two white women who accused the boys were facing charges of vagrancy and illegal sexual activity. In order to avoid those charges, the falsely accused the boys. In April 1931, the boys were convicted and sentenced to death. -
World War II begins
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Pearl Harbor Attack
The bombing of Pearl Harbor was a pivotal point in World War II and prompted the United States's involvement as well as Charles Lindbergh's participation in pilot training. -
Charles Lindbergh becomes a consultant with the United Aircraft Company
Charles Lindbergh became a consultant fr the United Aircraft Company in an attempt to help educate pilots on fuel consumption to help them during the war. Lindbergh had previously worked as a colonel in the Air Corps Reserve but had openly advocated that the United States keep out of the war. -
Bombing Raid on Ploesti
American bombers flew over Ploesti, a oil refinery north of Romania, to bomb and destroy the German run oil refinery. Captain Phillip Ardery recounted the bombing in his own words which gave us a broader understanding of just how scary and fiery the bombing was. -
WWII Ends
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Brown v. Board of Education decision
The Supreme Court declared "separate but equal" unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ordered that schools must desegregate "with all deliberate speed." -
Little Rock Nine are "accepted" into Central High School
The Little Rock Nine were escorted by federal troops into Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas. Many schools had refused admitting black student, even after Brown v. Board of Education. -
Trial of William Collinsworth, Ollie Stoutamire, Patrick Scarborough, and David Beagles
The trial of the four men who raped and abducted Betty Jean Owens began on May 6, 1959. Betty Jean Owens, an African American college student, was raped seven times by four white men on May 2, 1959. The men openly laughed about the rape and showed no remorse. On June 12, 1959, the all white jury convicted the men of rape.